Morning Exercise May Prevent Snack Attacks
Fitness News Flash
-- By Jen Mueller, Certified Personal Trainer
A good workout in the morning could prevent snacking later in the day, according
to data from Loughborough University in England. Exercisers who ran for 60
minutes at about 70 percent of their top effort (70% Max Heart Rate or 7 on the
RPE scale of 1-10) before breakfast reported less hunger for two hours after
eating, compared with those who did not exercise before the same meal. Their
conclusion is that intense training may suppress an appetite-fueling hormone, so
you're less tempted to munch in between meals.
Action Sparked: Many people find that morning exercise helps them regulate their
appetites for the rest of the day. Not only do they eat less (since activity
causes the release of endorphins, which in turn diminishes appetite), they also
choose smaller portions of healthier foods.
Although SparkPeople recommends eating something before a morning workout, many
people wait to have breakfast until after exercise is done. Regardless of when
you eat it (before or after exercise), breakfast helps speed up your metabolism
and can aid in weight loss. Enjoying foods high in protein, complex carbs and
healthy fats will help you avoid the temptation of the vending machine before
lunch.
